Each
Spring and Fall, the Newton Conservators organizes a series of walks
to local open space areas. These walks are led by knowlegeable leaders
and are open to the public. They normally last for an hour or two.
Some events are for bicycle or canoe. These walks are a great way
to get to know open space areas in Newton. Below is the current
walk schedule.

If you have questions about a walk or are interested
in leading such a walk in an area that you know, please contact
the walks coordinator.

Starting at Cutler Park you will explore the Cutler Park and after walking into Boston over the railroad bridge you will enter Millennium Park and complete the tour by way of Brook Farm and the Helen Heyn Riverway. These areas have been improved over the past several years and now provide a wide variety of trails, river landings, and playing fields. Henry Finch (964-4488) will be the group leader.

Meet at the Cutler Park entrance 1/4 mile south of the Charles River, on Kendrick Street in Needham.

The Friends of Albemarle will lead a walk through the varied park, playground, and conservation areas in the Albemarle-Cheese Cake Brook area. The Friends are developing a comprehensive plan for this area and will ask walkers for their ideas. The area has a rich mix of active and passive spaces, and the goal of the Friends of Albemarle is to develop a balanced plan for this area.

Meet at the Gath Pool in Albemarle Park. For more information, call Margaret Albright at 617-244-6145.

You will explore the trail system that goes through the remains of Norumbega Park, a 13-acre park that was rescued from development when the privately owned Norumbega Park closed. You will see a meadow, steep pines, and a hemlock grove that opens to a wonderful view of the Charles River, as well as the little-known MDC park that is hidden behind the Marriott hotel.

Meet at the Norumbega Park entrance, near the remains of the sunken garden that is located at the Marriott-Norumbega boundary line on Commonwealth Avenue. Call AnnaMaria Abernathy at 617-244-3447 for more information.

This walk will begin at the historic 1871 West Parish Burying Ground at River and Cherry Streets in West Newton. Sheila Donahue of the Newton Historical Society Burying Grounds Committee will provide background on this site, which has been undergoing stone restoration and other improvements via Community Preservation Act (CPA) funding. From there, we will walk a short distance to the recently renovated Dolan Pond Conservation Area. In this hidden treasure of Newton, we will traverse the accessible trails and boardwalk past vernal pools to the CPA-aquired Forte estate. This project will result in a 10% open space addition, the preservation of the 1925 homestead by the Newton Housing Authority, and the creation of two additional Habitat for Humanity housing units. We will return to the starting point via the Webster Park Historic District, containing many fine examples of 1840 Cottage-style houses, and across the West Newton Common playing field, which is to receive an irrigation system with CPA funds. Contact Ted Kuklinski (617-332-7753 or dolanpond@aol.com).

Park on Cherry Street north of River Street.

Weather: When in doubt check with the group leader.

Upcoming trips: Sign up for our
monthly email newsletter to be informed when the next walk schedule is
posted. The newsletter also will tell you about other Newton conservation
news.